Daily Readings - Wed May 16 2018
Acts
28Pay careful attention to yourselves and to all the flock, in which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to care for the church of God, which he obtained with his own blood.29I know that after my departure fierce wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock;30and from among your own selves will arise men speaking twisted things, to draw away the disciples after them.31Therefore be alert, remembering that for three years I did not cease night or day to admonish everyone with tears.32And now I commend you to God and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up and to give you the inheritance among all those who are sanctified.33I coveted no one's silver or gold or apparel.34You yourselves know that these hands ministered to my necessities and to those who were with me.35In all things I have shown you that by working hard in this way we must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he himself said, 'It is more blessed to give than to receive.'"36And when he had said these things, he knelt down and prayed with them all.37And there was much weeping on the part of all; they embraced Paul and kissed him,38being sorrowful most of all because of the word he had spoken, that they would not see his face again. And they accompanied him to the ship.
John
11And I am no longer in the world, but they are in the world, and I am coming to you. Holy Father, keep them in your name, which you have given me, that they may be one, even as we are one.12While I was with them, I kept them in your name, which you have given me. I have guarded them, and not one of them has been lost except the son of destruction, that the Scripture might be fulfilled.13But now I am coming to you, and these things I speak in the world, that they may have my joy fulfilled in themselves.14I have given them your word, and the world has hated them because they are not of the world, just as I am not of the world.15I do not ask that you take them out of the world, but that you keep them from the evil one.16They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world.17Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth.18As you sent me into the world, so I have sent them into the world.19And for their sake I consecrate myself, that they also may be sanctified in truth.
Sermon
The first reading from Acts and the Gospel from John both speak to the themes of protection, guidance, and the mission of believers in the world. In Acts, Paul bids farewell to the elders of Ephesus, urging them to care for the flock entrusted to them and to remain vigilant against false teachers. He reminds them that the Church is God’s own possession, purchased at a great price, and that their role is to serve and support one another. Paul’s words are both a warning and an encouragement, emphasizing the importance of living out the faith with integrity and generosity. In the Gospel, Jesus prays for his disciples, asking the Father to protect and sanctify them. He acknowledges that while they are in the world, they are not of the world, and he commissions them to continue his mission. Jesus’ prayer is a profound expression of his love and concern for those who follow him, ensuring that they are equipped to live as his witnesses in a world that often opposes them.
Both readings highlight the tension between being in the world and being set apart for God’s purposes. Paul’s farewell speech and Jesus’ prayer remind us that believers are called to live with a sense of responsibility and purpose. We are not here to pursue our own interests or to blend in with the world, but to serve others and to bear witness to God’s truth. This requires us to be vigilant, to trust in God’s providence, and to remain faithful even in the face of challenges. The readings also emphasize the importance of community and mutual support. Just as Paul exhorts the elders to care for one another, and just as Jesus prays for the unity and sanctification of his disciples, we too are called to live in harmony and to uphold one another in our shared mission.
As we reflect on these readings, let us ask ourselves: How am I fulfilling my role in the Body of Christ? Am I living as a light in the world, or am I allowing the world to shape me instead? Let us strive to remain faithful to God’s word, to serve others with generosity and love, and to trust in his protection and guidance. May we, like Paul and the disciples, embrace our calling with courage and humility, knowing that we are not alone but are part of a greater community sanctified and sent into the world for the sake of God’s kingdom.